Embraer breaks record in 2009 with the delivery of 244 jets
Folha de S. Paulo
With greater operation in the segment of executive aviation, Embraer delivered 244 aircrafts last year, a record mark for the company. In 2008, the manufacturer delivered 204 jets. If until 2008 Embraer had greater presence in the market of commercial aviation, last year it gained room in the segment of executive aviation with the sales of the Phenom 100, which began being sold at the end of 2008. As a result, the company is balanced in both markets, with the delivery of 122 commercial aircraft and 115 executive jets. In the defense market, seven aircrafts were delivered in 2009.
Despite the bigger sales volume, in units, Embraer expects a decrease of up to 15% in its earnings in 2009 compared to 2008. That because the commercial airplanes generate more income for the company. While the price of the Phenom 100 is of nearly US$ 3.5 million, the Embraer 190, the company's best-selling model in the commercial market, costs nearly US$ 39.5 million.
"We have invested in order to diversify our sources of income. We are changing the profile and giving more emphasis to the area of executive aviation than we did five years ago. Although it generates less earnings, this is a profitable segment, whose margins are generally slightly higher than those of commercial aviation", said the Intelligence Officer of Commercial Aviation Market of Embraer, Luiz Sérgio Chiessi. Embraer has lost space in commercial aviation. Last year, the company delivered 122 aircrafts, compared to 162 in the previous year.